Robert Beverley On Bacon's Rebellion 1704

Introduction

Bacon's Rebellion in 1676 was a test for self-government in
Virginia. One of Virginia's earliest historians, Robert
Beverley, a contemporary of Nathaniel Bacon who
led the rebellion, described the origin and contours
of the uprising in his History and Present State of
Virginia, published almost thirty years after the event.

Beverley's account of the events is not really objective.
He had sided with Governor Berkeley during the
course of the dispute. Still his account is worth reading, since he was a
good observer.

The occasion of this rebellion is not easy to be discovered:
but `tis certain there were many things that concurred
towards it. For it cannot be imagined, that upon
the instigation of two or three traders only, who aimed at
a monopoly of the Indian trade, as some pretend to say,
the whole country would have fallen into so much distraction;
in which people did not only hazard their necks
by rebellion, but endeavored to ruin a governor, whom
they all entirely loved, and had unanimously chosen; a
gentleman who had devoted his whole life and estate to
the service of the country, and against whom in thirty-
five years experience there had never been one single complaint.
Neither can it be supposed, that upon so slight
grounds, they would make choice of a leader they hardly
knew, to oppose a gentleman that had been so long and
so deservedly the darling of the people. So that in all probability
there was something else in the wind, without which
the body of the country had never been engaged in that
insurrection.

Four things may be reckoned to have been the main
ingredients towards this intestine commotion, viz., First,
The extreme low price of tobacco, and the ill usage of the
planters in the exchange of goods for it, which the country,
with all their earnest endeavors, could not remedy.
Secondly, The splitting the colony into proprieties, contrary
to the original charters; and the extravagant taxes
they were forced to undergo, to relieve themselves from
those grants. Thirdly, The heavy restraints and burdens
laid upon their trade by act of Parliament in England.
Fourthly, The disturbance given by the Indians. Of all
which in their order.

First, Of the low price of tobacco, and the disappointment
of all sort of remedy, I have spoken sufficiently before.
Secondly, Of splitting the country into proprieties.

King Charles the Second, to gratify some nobles about
him, made two great grants out of that country. These
grants were not of the uncultivated wood land only, but
also of plantations, which for many years had been seated
and improved, under the encouragement of several charters
granted by his royal ancestors to that colony. Those grants
were distinguished by the names of the Northern and
Southern grants of Virginia, and the same men were concerned
in both. They were kept dormant some years after
they were made, and in the year 1674 begun to be put in
execution. As soon as ever the country came to know
this, they remonstrated against them; and the assembly
drew up an humble address to his majesty, complaining
of the said grants, as derogatory to the previous charters
and privileges granted to that colony, by his majesty and
his royal progenitors. They sent to England Mr. Secretary
Ludwell and Colonel Park, as their agents to address the
king, to vacate those grants. And the better to defray
that charge, they laid a tax of fifty pounds of tobacco per
poll, for two years together, over and above all other
taxes, which was an excessive burden. They likewise laid
amercements of seventy, fifty, or thirty pounds of tobacco,
as the cause was on every law case tried throughout the
country. Besides all this, they applied the balance, remaining
due upon accOunt Of the two shilling per hogshead,
and fort duties, to this use. Which taxes and amercements
fell heaviest on the poor people, the effect of whose labor
would not clothe their wives and children. This made
them desperately uneasy, especially when, after a whole
year's patience under all these pressures, they had no encouragement
from their agents in England, to hope for
remedy; nor any certainty when they should be eased of
those heavy impositions.

Thirdly, Upon the back of all these misfortunes came
out the act of 25 Car. II. for better securing the plantation
trade. By this act several duties were laid on the trade
from one plantation to another. This was a new hardship,
and the rather, because the revenue arising by this act was
not applied to the use of the plantations wherein it was
raised: but given clear away; nay, in that country it
seemed to be of no other use, but to burden the trade,
or create a good income to the officers; for the collector
had half, the comptroller a quarter, and the remaining
quarter was subdivided into salaries; till it was lost.

By the same act also very great duties were laid on
the fisheries of the plantations, if manufactured by the
English inhabitants there; while the people of England
were absolutely free from all customs. Nay, though the
oil, blubber and whale bone, which were made by the
inhabitants of the plantations, were carried to England by
Englishmen, and in English built ships, yet it was held to
a considerable duty, more than the inhabitants of England
paid.

These were the afflictions that country labored under
when the fourth accident happened, viz., the disturbance
offered by the Indians to the frontiers. . . .

This addition of mischief to minds already full of
discontent, made people ready to vent all their resentment
against the poor Indians. There was nothing to be got by
tobacco; neither could they turn any other manufacture
to advantage; so that most of the poorer sort were willing
to quit their unprofitable employments, and go volunteers
against the Indians.

At first they flocked together tumultuously, running
in troops from one plantation to another without a head,
till at last the seditious humor of Colonel Nathaniel Bacon
led him to be of the party. This gentleman had been
brought up at one of the Inns of court in England, and
had a moderate fortune. He was young, bold, active, of
an inviting aspect, and powerful elocution. In a word, he
was every way qualified to head a giddy and unthinking
multitude. Before he had been three years in the country,
he was, for his extraordinary qualifications, made one of
the council, and in great honor and esteem among the
people. For this reason he no sooner gave countenance to
this riotous mob, but they all presently fixed their eyes
upon him for their general, and accordingly made their
addresses to him. As soon as he found this, he harangued
them publicly. He aggravated the Indian mischiefs, complaining
that they were occasioned for want of a due regulation
of their trade. He recounted particularly the other
grievances and pressures they lay under, and pretended
that he accepted of their command with no other intention
but to do them and the country service, in which he was
willing to encounter the greatest difficulties and dangers.
He farther assured them he would never lay down his arms
till he had revenged their sufferings upon the Indians, and
redressed all their other grievances.

By these insinuations he wrought his men into so perfect
an unanimity, that they were one and all at his devotion.
He took care to exasperate them to the utmost, by
representing all their misfortunes. After he had begun to
muster them, he dispatched a messenger to the governor,
by whom he aggravated the mischiefs done by the Indians,
and desired a commission of general to go out against
them. This gentleman was in so great esteem at that time
with the council, that the governor did not think fit to
give him a flat refusal; but sent him word he would consult
the council, and return him a farther answer.

In the mean time Bacon was expeditious in his preparations,
and having all things in readiness, began his march,
depending on the authority the people had given him. He
would not lose so much time as to stay for his commission;
but dispatched several messengers to the governor to
hasten it. On the other hand, the governor, instead of a
commission, sent positive orders to him to disperse his
men and come down in person to him, upon pain of being
declared a rebel.

This unexpected order was a great surprise to Bacon,
and not a little trouble to his men. However, he was resolved
to prosecute his first intentions, depending upon
his strength and interest with the people. Nevertheless,
he intended to bait upon the governor, but not altogether
defenceless. Pursuant to this resolution, he took about
forty of his men down with him in a sloop to Jamestown,
where the governor was with his council.

Matters did not succeed there to Mr. Bacon's satisfaction,
wherefore he expressed himself a little too freely.
For which, being suspended from the council, he went
away again in a huff with his sloop and followers. The
governor filled a long boat with men, and pursued the
sloop so close, that Colonel Bacon moved into his boat to
make more haste. But the governor had sent up by land
to the ships at Sandy Point, where he was stopped and
sent down again. Upon his return he was kindly received
by the governor, who, knowing he had gone a step beyond
his instructions in having suspended him, was glad to admit
him again of the council; after which he hoped all
things might be pacified.

Notwithstanding this, Colonel Bacon still insisted upon
a commission to be general of the volunteers, and to go
out against the Indians; from which the governor endeavored
to dissuade him, but to no purpose, because he
had some secret project in view. He had the luck to be
countenanced in his importunities, by the news of fresh
murder and robberies committed by the Indians. However,
not being able to accomplish his ends by fair means, he
stole privately out of town; and having put himself at the
head of six hundred volunteers, marched directly to Jamestown,
where the assembly was then sitting. He presented
himself before the assembly, and drew up his men in battalia
before the house wherein they sat. He urged to them
his preparations; and alledged that if the commission had
not been delayed so long, the war against the Indians
might have been finished.

The governor resented this insolent usage worst of
all, and now obstinately refused to grant him anything,
offering his naked breast against the presented arms of his
followers. But the assembly, fearing the fatal consequences
of provoking a discontented multitude ready armed, who
had the governor, council and assembly entirely in their
power, addressed the governor to grant Bacon his request.
They prepared themselves the commission, constituting
him general of the forces of Virginia, and brought it to
the governor to be signed.

With much reluctancy the governor signed it, and
thereby put the power of war and peace into Bacon's
hands. Upon this he marched away immediately, having
gained his end, which was in effect a power to secure a
monopoly of the Indian trade to himself and his friends.

As soon as General Bacon had marched to such a
convenient distance from Jamestown that the assembly
thought they might deliberate with safety, the governor,
by their advice, issued a proclamation of rebellion against
him, commanding his followers to surrender him, and
forthwith disperse themselves, giving orders at the same
time for raising the militia of the country against him.

The people being much exasperated, and General
Bacon by his address and eloquence having gained an
absolute dominion over their hearts, they unanimously resolved
that not a hair of his head should be touched, much
less that they should surrender him as a rebel. Therefore
they kept to their arms, and instead of proceeding against
the Indians they marched back to Jamestown, directing
their fury against such of their friends and countrymen
as should dare to oppose them. . . .

By this time the governor had got together a small
party to side with him. These he furnished with sloops,
arms and ammunition, under command of Major Robert
Beverley, in order to cross the bay and oppose the malcontents.
By this means there happened some skirmishes,
in which several were killed, and others taken prisoners.
Thus they were gomg on by a civil war to destroy one
another, and lay waste their infant country, when it pleased
God, after some months' confusion, to put an end to their
misfortunes, as well as to Bacon's designs, by his natural
death. He died at Dr. Green's in Gloucester county. But
where he was buried was never yet discovered, though
afterward there was great inquiry made, with design
expose his bones to public infamy.

In the meanwhile those disorders occasioned a general
neglect of husbandry, and a great destruction of the
stocks Of cattle, so that people had a dreadful prospect
want and famine. But the malcontents being thus disunited
by the loss of their general, in whom they all confided,
they began to squabble among themselves, and every
man's business was, how to make the best terms he could
for himself.

Lieutenant General Ingram (whose true name was
Johnson) and Major General Walklate, surrendered,
condition of pardon for themselves and their followers
though they were both forced to submit to an incapacity
of bearing office in that country for the future.

Peace being thus restored, Sir William Berkeley returned
to his former seat of government, and every man
to his several habitation. . . .

When this storm, occasioned by Bacon, was blown
over, and all things quiet again, Sir William Berkeley
called an assembly, for settling the affairs of the country,
and for making reparation to such as had been oppressed
After which a regiment of soldiers arrived from England,
which were sent to suppress the insurrection; but they,
coming after the business was over, had no occasion to
exercise their courage. . . .

With the regiment above mentioned arrived commissioners,
to enquire into the occasion and authors of this
rebellion; and Sir William Berkeley came to England:
where from the time of his arrival, his sickness obliged
him to keep his chamber till he died; so that he had no
opportunity of kissing the king's hand. But his majesty
declared himself well satisfied with his conduct in Virginia,
and was very kind to him during his sickness, often
enquiring after his health, and commanding him not to
hazard it by too early an endeavor to come to court.